Slowing Down and Being Present

“Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing.”
― Ken KeseyOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

  

Focusing on relationships this year makes me aware of how many relationships we have in a given day. After a great massage (relationship) and feeling tired and hungry, I met with the seamstress (relationship) who is making the pants to go under my Shalwar Kameez. This is the dress I will wear to the wedding in India on February 3rd

India 2010 094

We talked fabric, which we both love, and although I felt like I was in a big hurry, because I was focusing on relationships this year, I chose to be more present. I slowed down, conversed and listened to all she had to say. In the past, I would have been short, quick, and focused on getting the task done and getting out the door. I really enjoyed being attentive and learning about her business and also realized how pleasant it was to hear her talk with the fabric store employees, who knew her well. I could see she had developed some connective relationships with them as they laughed and shared with each other.

This shift in perception, to slow down, listen, and be present can be life changing. If you to are too busy to connect and be present to yourself and others, join with me in this new adventure!


Word for 2012!

Millions of people are making their To Do lists, setting goals, saying prayers, and creating inspirations for the coming year. Some time during the year they forget their lists.  When December comes around, they search for last years list and plan for the next year. What was it they were focused upon?

Keeping with the title of my next book, Less is More: Slowing Down in an Over-Stimulating World, I focus upon one word each year. The word for 2011 was Write, and write I did. I just sent my manuscript for 12 Weeks to Self-Healing: Transforming Pain through Energy Medicine to the editor, Pamela Maliniak!

My word for 2012 is Food. One year my word was money, and I brought consciousness to money. I studied about money, read practical books about money, opened an Ameritrade account and played with money, focused on how I spent money, gave money away, cleared any past guilt or fear around money, visualized having more money, and my income increased substantially that year.

 This year I am focusing on Food. When I was age 14 I had a contusion and lost my sense of smell.  I have had only tongue taste most of my life. This lack of taste has made it difficult for me to gravitate toward cooking and to grasp using spices. Without the sense of smell there has been a disconnect between a store full of grocery items and an actual meal on the table. Although I binge on “foodie shows,” I love my Vita-Mix and generally drink a meal daily. I did recently learn how to cook soup!

So this year, 2012, I will focus on Food! The “foodie shows” I watch will shift from being distractions to cooking lessons! I will read cookbooks, make shopping lists, explore new foods, play with spices, and explore this wonderful world of nutrients that nourish and create my body.

Hey, I may even have you over for dinner. If I am on track with my goal, I won’t even ask you to cook!

Join me in choosing a word for 2012! Invite your children to do this with you. It’s a great family activity!